TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, working in close cooperation with the Baltimore County Division of Property Management, on Wednesday announced plans to update aging basketball equipment at more than 175 outdoor sites across Baltimore County.

“We are fully committed to expanding recreational opportunities across our great county and that means doing more to modernize our aging equipment,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “By the end of this project, every court the County maintains will provide the modern basketball hoops residents deserve so that every community has a modern, local space to visit, play, and enjoy.”

Under the project announced on Wednesday, County officials will replace outdated equipment — some put in place more than 40 years ago — with new poles, backboards, and rims at 168 county-managed basketball courts and 10 Recreation Activity Center (RAC) sites, formerly known as PAL Centers.

“The Department thanks the County Executive for this investment in the improvement of our multi-purpose courts system wide,” said Acting Director of Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks Bob Smith. “These courts are a representation of the County’s continued focus on increasing the recreation opportunities throughout all of our neighborhoods and we look forward to the implementation of this project.”

“We are happy to support the County Executive and Recreation and Parks’ efforts to replace the old and outdated basketball hoop systems around the County, said Baltimore County Property Manager Debra Shindle. “Not only will every community now have safe outdoor basketball systems, this forward-thinking investment will save the County money and time as well as make maintenance efforts more efficient and economical moving forward.”

Supported by approximately $500,000 in federal ARPA funds, the basketball system replacement project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2023.

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